Brasstronaut makes Vancouver folk festival debut

The Vancouver act had a hectic touring schedule last year following the release of their record Mean Sun. And while they've been quiet on the tour front this year, the musicians have each been working on various side projects, and the group is currently spending time in the studio recording new material.

Sam Davidson, who plays clarinet and wind synthesizer in the band, said the group will debut three of those new songs during their set at the Vancouver Folk Music Festival this evening. And you can expect them to be a little more upbeat than their previous sound.

"Everything seems to be a little more dance-oriented," he told the Straight in an interview.

"So maybe less down-tempo and something a little more up, a little more positive, and I think that’s what we’re feeling these days. We’re just celebrating now. I feel like, you know, we’re just having a party now."

While Brasstronaut hasn't played the Vancouver folk festival before, they are making their debut as part of various workshops this year. This morning, the band shared a stage with Noura Mint Seymali and Andrew Bird.

"So good to hear him just riffing on your stuff," Davidson noted.

He added the band is hoping to release their next record, which they're recording at Tom Dobrzanski's Monarch Studios, early next year, followed by another tour.

He also hopes the band will go on to play more collaborative stages on the folk festival circuit.

“The workshops are really the highlight for me,” he said. “That’s what I really enjoy the most, because there’s always new things happening, and there’s a good chance you’ve never heard who you’re playing with.”

After their performance this evening, Brasstronaut’s workshops include one with Mokoomba and Lemon Bucket Orkestra Sunday at 6:40.